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Author Topic: Picked up an Elbow Engine  (Read 277 times)

Nick

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Picked up an Elbow Engine
« on: October 14, 2020, 08:43:56 pm »
Was mesmerized by one of these at NAMES and was outbid a few weeks back, so tried a little harder for this one. Seller says his father built it in the ‘70’s and that it moves freely. Looks to just need a good cleaning, I hope  :D

more when it arrives...





Nick

crazydoug

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2020, 07:08:12 am »
I was watching that auction, but the abnormally high shipping cost kept me from bidding. I know that the total cost is all that really matters, but just dont like getting ripped off on shipping. Of course i could be wrong and find it weighs 50lbs.
 I think you bought an interesting engine though, and i will look forward to a review and video.
Crazydoug

Nick

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2020, 08:49:26 am »
The high shipping kept my bidding low too. I have had some sellers in the past put a high shipping cost and then refund the difference once shipped. If not, I will see if I can read the postage cost when it arrives and nicely ask why he charged so much.

I do not understand how people can sell something their dad made 50 years ago, but I guess I’m more attached to junk than other people.  :D
Nick

St Paul Steam

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2020, 09:17:35 am »
I've had 2 of these, bought @ the same time from the same seller,  one ran flawlessly , the other ..despite spending hrs Cleaning,  adjusting & doing everything I could think of...refused to run on its own.
Here's hoping you got a good one Nick 🙂
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Stoker

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2020, 10:37:21 am »
I too was watching this one and almost bid. The  ridiculous shipping cost concerned me, but it was ultimately other expenses I'm currently experiencing that kept me from bidding. I too have had sellers refund the difference in actual shipping costs, and had hoped that might happen with this one. Now knowing that Nick got it  ....   I'm very glad I couldn't bid!!!
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Raphael

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2020, 03:22:41 pm »
My friend Fabrice made one, it is very fast :
Raphaël, Membre du Modèle Yacht Club de Paris : http://mycparis.fr/
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Jim

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2020, 04:40:42 pm »
They are an interesting engine to watch run.
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Jim

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Stoker

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2020, 04:49:52 pm »
I've often thought of trying to build one, and have decided that if I ever do, I shall make the pistons be essentially spheres. The reason being that to correctly make one of these elbow engines, the alignment of the 90 degree bend with two sets of cylinder bores must be essentially perfect or binding will result. Spherical pistons, while clearly providing a lessor seal, and thus less efficiency, will at least allow operation without requiring quite the same level of perfection.

Guess, I'm just thinking to take the cowards way out when it comes to precision machining.   ;c)
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

Nick

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2020, 10:47:42 pm »
Engine arrived and I’m happy to say that I don’t have a heavy paper weight  :D

It did arrive in a small priority mail box, so the seller definitely over charged on shipping, but I knew the cost before bidding so can’t really complain.

Put a little oil on and spun it around by hand a few times before we went out for dinner, maybe I’ll get a chance to hook it up to an air line tomorrow...
Nick

Jim

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2020, 11:48:45 pm »
Looking forward to the video premiere Nick.

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Tadfafty

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2020, 12:59:45 pm »
I saw that auction didn't bid though.
If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY8ELrOezIftrQ6MKCoHyfQ

Nick

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Re: Picked up an Elbow Engine
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2020, 01:00:54 pm »
I saw that auction didn't bid though.

Thank you  :D
Nick